U.S. livestock: Hogs, cattle rise on technical buying

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. cattle and hog futures gained about one per cent on Friday, lifted by technical buying despite declines this week in wholesale prices for beef and pork, traders and analysts said.

Live cattle gained for the second straight session as futures continued to recover from the roughly two-week low reached on Tuesday. Lean hogs hovered near Wednesday’s three-month highs.

Investors continued to liquidate positions in front-month hog and cattle contracts, resulting in bear-spreading gains.

CME June live cattle futures were up 0.525 cent at 123.45 cents/lb. and most-active August were up 1.4 cents, to 121.05 cents/lb.

CME August feeder cattle gained 1.1 cents, to 150.45 cents/lb., while the thinly traded front-month May contract was up 1.075 cents at 143.35 cents.

Retailers have largely wrapped up meat buying for the beef and pork they will put on sale next week ahead of the U.S. Memorial Day holiday on May 29, the unofficial start of the summer outdoor grilling season.

Wholesale beef and pork prices have likely peaked for the season as the retailer buying slowed, analysts said.